Daines Announces over $150,000 for CSKT Employment Program
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $156,202 in funding for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe (CSKT) to implement an employment and economic development program. The funding is for the CSKT’s Pilot Project Implementation Plan and Pilot Training Initiative, which is the third phase of their Sustainable Economic Development Project funded by the Administration for Native Americans (ANA). “This grant is good news to help CSKT complete the final phase of their project that will increase sustainable employment and economic development opportunities,” Daines stated. Janet Camel, Planning Director, CSKT Economic Development Office: “The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are very
Daines, Nelson: Patrons Should Be Protected from Online Booking Scams
Daines and Nelson introduce legislation to protect consumers from online booking scams U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today introduced legislation to protect consumers from online booking scams. Daines and Nelson introduced The Stop Online Booking Scams Act that protects consumers from illegitimate third party websites that trick consumers into thinking they are making reservations directly with hotels. Online booking sites have created a marketplace where consumers can shop for hotels across thousands of brands on a single platform. With the rise of online booking (480 bookings per minute) has come an increase in online
The Western News: Rail spur project funded
The Kootenai Business Park is getting a boost. U.S. Sen. Steve Daines announced on Friday that a $750,000 grant from the federal Economic Development Administration is being awarded to the 418-acre park, which is located south of Libby town limits. The funds will be used to rehabilitate the existing 3,070-foot rail spur line and connect it to the BNSF main line. Tina Oliphant, executive director of the Lincoln County Port Authority, said that bringing the rail spur online is the group’s top strategic priority. It was shut down 1-1/2 years ago for safety reasons because the curvature of the line
Daines Announces $1,094,800 for Law Enforcement for the Chippewa Cree Tribe, Crow Tribe
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $1,094,800 in funding for the Chippewa Cree Tribe and the Crow Tribe to enhance law enforcement practices and sustain crime prevention and intervention efforts in nine purpose areas including public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; violence against women; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The Chippewa Cree Tribe received $480,223 and the Crow Tribe received $505,125. “This funding will provide additional resources to help tribes’ public safety needs,” Daines
Daines Implores Energy Chairman to Prioritize LWCF Permanent Reauthorization
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today implored Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to preserve permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) in the Senate passed S. 2012, the Energy Policy Modernization Act. “LWCF was created in the spirit of reinvesting the revenues from the sale of our national resources into future resources for all Americans – asset for asset,” Daines wrote. “Like many of the 85 members who voted in support of S. 2012 on the floor, we consider LWCF a top policy priority in the context of
Billings Gazette: ‘American hero, state treasure’ Ben Steele has died at 98
Bataan Death March survivor, artist and educator Ben Steele will be remembered for his heroism and his warm, caring personality. He died Sunday at age 98 with his wife Shirley and daughters Julie Jorgenson and Rosemarie Steele at his side. A memorial service is pending. “Everyone knows his war stories and what he went through as a POW, but it’s his personality, his warm caring personality that made people love him,” Jorgenson said. “His students would come up to me and say, ‘Ben and I have a special bond.’ But he made everyone feel special; every student had that special
KTVQ: Ben Steele, Billings war hero and artist, dead at age 98
Ben Steele, who survived the Bataan Death March during World War II, has died. He was 98. His wife, Shirley Steele, said Ben died at about 4 a.m. Sunday morning. Steele’s book, “Tears in the Darkness – The Story of the Bataan Death March and Its Aftermath,” chronicled his experience during the war and he became well-known for his art depicting his time as a prisoner of war. A new Billings middle school currently under construction was named in his honor. Steele’s ordeal as a survivor of the Bataan Death March made him a local hero. His sketches that he drew while a prisoner of war also
Daines Statement on the Passing of Ben Steele
BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement in memory of the life of World War II POW and Bataan Death March survivor, Ben Steele: “Montana has lost an American hero and a state treasure,” Daines stated. “Ben Steele will be remembered for his service, his courage and his artistic legacy.” On July 10, 2015, Daines honored Steele as Montanan of the Week for his exceptional service to the nation and the Billings community. Daines met Steele on September 9, 2013 in Washington, D.C. for the Big Sky Honor Flight. ###
Great Falls Tribune: Peak to honor Alex Diekmann
I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love.” Lisa Diekmann remembers John Steinbeck’s quote about Montana from his travelogue, “Adventures with Charley: In Search of America,” when she thinks about the state where she and her late husband Alex Diekmann raised their sons, Logan and Liam. Before he passed away in February after a battle with cancer, Alex worked with the Trust for Public Land to head projects that conserved more than 125,000 acres of land and contributed to the conservation of hundreds of thousands more.